Growing Potted Emersed

I wanted to do something new. Instead of tossing the plantlets away, I figured why not try my hand at growing them emersed. I'm using needle leaf java fern and hydrocotyle japan potted with organic micracle grow and placed inside a critter keeper. Let me know what you all think. If things go well I'll make further updates. And it may look like it, but the rhizome of the fern isn't buried.

 

It sounds like an interesting plan to me. I'm pretty sure they'll grow back in a matter of time. Do keep us updated, in interested in the results.

I've done this before with a single leaflet with Anubias Nana. The plant did grow back in a matter of time but it took before, its probably because Anubias are really slow growers.

 

Please keep us posted scarface. No reason it shouldn't work, and for many plant species I would assume it is simple and fairly quick. The industry raises them this way for a reason.

 

I've done this before with a single leaflet with Anubias Nana. The plant did grow back in a matter of time but it took before, its probably because Anubias are really slow growers.

I bought several used tanks and two came with substrate. One that had a finer substrate was PACKED with ferts, or soil not sure, and rinsing it out took forever. (I was lazy and didn't want to order more and I thought maybe the used SS could help jump start my cycle. Well I ended up finding an anubias plant with the tiniest little piece of green attached to some roots almost dried out in the back of the tank. I soaked it while setting up my tank and then plopped it in. It now has 5 new leaves and its growing a 6th! Its been a little over a month. I was a huge plant guy before getting into aquariums so needless to say I was supremely happy!

 

Unfortunately didn't work. Probably because I didn't keep the humidity up. May do a larger scale next time on a 20 high. Funny thing, I was recently looking at my old driftwood that I took out of my aquarium about 2-3 months ago and the java moss that I attached to it is still alive. It's bright green, even though it has been dry for months now.

 

HI scarface,

Welcome to another exciting aspect to our hobby! I unfortunately do not have room in my 5 tanks for all of the plant species I would like to grow. If I want to change a 'scape I don't want to try and track down those harder to find rare species so I started my own emersed 'Plant Bank'. It's only about 25 species but not the common ones I can buy at the LFS; more like the ones you don't see too often. If you have questions I will be glad to share what information I can; I've been doing emersed since September of 2011.

 

HI scarface,

Welcome to another exciting aspect to our hobby! I unfortunately do not have room in my 5 tanks for all of the plant species I would like to grow. If I want to change a 'scape I don't want to try and track down those harder to find rare species so I started my own emersed 'Plant Bank'. It's only about 25 species but not the common ones I can buy at the LFS; more like the ones you don't see too often. If you have questions I will be glad to share what information I can; I've been doing emersed since September of 2011.

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Nice. I may hold off on the project a little bit, but would you think indirect sunlight be sufficient for most aquatic plants? I'm thinking dark green leaves like anubias and java will be fine, but also worried about temperature now that the weather is changing. Thanks.

 

HI scarface,

Yes, indirect light should work depending upon how far from the window the plants are. If they start getting 'leggy' with long internodes between leaves you may have to supplement with additional light or move them closer. I grow mine in an unheated attached garage with a 4' 2X40 watt shop light above wire shelving. I have heat mats controlled by a thermostat under the plants so if the temp drops too low in the winter at night the plants don't usually drop below 50 degrees F. It is amazing how tolerate most of our 'tropical fish' plants are to lower temperatures......they do grow slower when cold however.

 

SeattleRoy that wendtiI 'Florida Sunset' has me drooling!

 

HI Jocelyn,

Thank you! It showed up among some more 'plain looking' specimens of 'Florida Sunset' I was growing. I separated it and so far the plantlets from runners that the parent has put out are pretty similar. I think the cultivar (Florida Sunset) needs a lot of light to maintain the more intense reds and variations. I am growing them emersed with PAR@105 at the leaf level.

I used to usethe coir pots like scarface showed in the OP but they start to decompose after about 6 -8 months so nOW I use 3" plastic pots almost exclusively; they don't start rotting, they maintain moisture, and I can soak them in bleach, wash them, and reuse them. Bottom layer fine natural gravel, then Miracle-Gro potting mix, and last a thin layer of Special Kitty cat litter to help keep fungus, bacteria, and algae at bay.

I used to grow most of my plants in plastic storage containers with eggcrate below them and a small Hagen Elite MinI filter. (Lid removed for picture)



And I still have a couple of storage containers but now I recycle soda bottles and grow species individually.
What I like about the individual containers is I only have to water every 3-4 weeks.

 

HI scarface,

Yes, indirect light should work depending upon how far from the window the plants are. If they start getting 'leggy' with long internodes between leaves you may have to supplement with additional light or move them closer. I grow mine in an unheated attached garage with a 4' 2X40 watt shop light above wire shelving. I have heat mats controlled by a thermostat under the plants so if the temp drops too low in the winter at night the plants don't usually drop below 50 degrees F. It is amazing how tolerate most of our 'tropical fish' plants are to lower temperatures......they do grow slower when cold however.

Thanks. It does get a bit drafty by the window (south facing and shaded by some trees), but the room (studio) is heated very warm during the winter. I am planning on putting it on the actual window sill, if it's wide enough to hold a 20h, which I think it could. Originally was thinking on doing an entire substrate bottom with miracle grow organic soil, but now looking at your pics, may do a multI potted setup. Versa top lid to hold in moisture. I'll have more questions as I get more involved, but not sure if there's anything I should look into.

 

HI scarface,

If the windowsill gets cold in winter, you could put a heatmat with a thermostat under the tank or run a small heater in a quart bottle inside the tank - which would add heat and humidity. Several years ago I did a blog about growing plants emersed, why humidity is so important when transitioning them emersed to submerged (and vice versa). Below the first article in the blog is one I did about how I make the humidomes. Feel free to ask if questions arise....like "what should I feed my plants when growing them emersed?" lol